Discover the career path of Matteo Messina Denaro, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Matteo Messina Denaro, nicknamed Diabolik, was a prominent Sicilian Mafia boss hailing from Castelvetrano. Following the arrests of key figures like Bernardo Provenzano and Salvatore Lo Piccolo, he rose to prominence as one of the new leaders within the Sicilian mob. The son of a Mafia boss, Denaro gained national notoriety when L'Espresso magazine featured him on its cover in 2001, declaring him the new head of the Mafia. His career was characterized by alleged involvement in numerous crimes and a long period spent as a fugitive.
November 1998: Became Capo Mandamento
In November 1998, after the death of his father, Matteo Messina Denaro became capo mandamento of the area including Castelvetrano and the neighboring cities.
Share
1998: Young Turks Wanted to Set Aside Provenzano
According to Giusy Vitale, in 1998, Messina Denaro was one of the young Turks within Cosa Nostra who wanted to set aside Bernardo Provenzano and take strategic decisions without his consent.
Share
April 2001: L'Espresso Cover
In April 2001, Matteo Messina Denaro gained national notoriety when the magazine L'Espresso featured him on its cover with the headline "Ecco il nuovo capo della Mafia" ("Here is the new Mafia boss").
Share
2001: Took Over Leadership in Trapani
In 2001, after the arrest of Vincenzo Virga, Messina Denaro took over the leadership of the Mafia in the province of Trapani.
Share
April 2006: Successor to Provenzano
After the arrest of Provenzano on April 11, 2006, Messina Denaro was often mentioned as his successor.
Share
April 2006: Arrest of Bernardo Provenzano
In April 2006, the arrest of Bernardo Provenzano led to Matteo Messina Denaro being considered one of the new leaders of the Sicilian Mafia.
Share
November 2007: Possible Leading Mafia Boss
After the arrest of Salvatore Lo Piccolo in November 2007, Messina Denaro was generally viewed as one of the possible leading Mafia bosses.
Share
November 2007: Arrest of Salvatore Lo Piccolo
In November 2007, following the arrest of Salvatore Lo Piccolo, Matteo Messina Denaro was further recognized as a potential leader within the Sicilian Mafia.
Share
2016: Death of Bernardo Provenzano
In 2016, after the death of Bernardo Provenzano, Matteo Messina Denaro was seen as the unchallenged boss of all bosses within the Mafia.
Share
2017: Death of Salvatore Riina
In 2017, after the death of Salvatore Riina, Matteo Messina Denaro was seen as the unchallenged boss of all bosses within the Mafia.
Share
January 2023: Capture of Messina Denaro
In January 2023, Messina Denaro was captured, leading to the confirmation of his life imprisonment sentence.
Share
January 2023: Arrest of Messina Denaro
In January 2023, after 30 years on the run, Matteo Messina Denaro was arrested near a private clinic in Palermo, Sicily, where he was reportedly undergoing chemotherapy under a false name.
Share